TCU’s path to NCAAs considerably tougher after loss

TCU has made steady progress under first-year coach Jamie Dixon, but the Frogs still have holes to fill as they pursue a possible NCAA tournament berth. Brad LoperSpecial to the Star-Telegram

TCU has made steady progress under first-year coach Jamie Dixon, but the Frogs still have holes to fill as they pursue a possible NCAA tournament berth. Brad LoperSpecial to the Star-Telegram

TCU is one of the great stories of this college basketball season and on Wednesday night it hosted one of its biggest games to date and was greeted by too many empty seats to count.

We’re not talking about continuing that fraud sellout streak at American Airlines Center for a bad Dallas Mavericks team; TCU plays in a posh 6,700-seat arena where there is literally not one bad seat. And this is a good team.

A good team that on Wednesday played Oklahoma State in a game that will have significant meaning on a potential NCAA bid for both teams. The place should have been packed for what was a highly entertaining game.

Spare me the “It started at 8 p.m.” excuse.

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The TCU band only sent what appeared to be approximately 10 members to perform. C’mon people; this isn’t a garbage team in an NAIA league over winter break. It’s a good team in the Big 12. If you’re going to be big-time, play the part.

TCU is now 17-9 and 6-7 in the Big 12

As much impressive progress as this program has made in head coach Jamie Dixon’s first season in Fort Worth, Wednesday was a clear indication of the strides that need to be made on the floor, and in the stands, which is something the coach is doggedly determined to improve for his second season.

In order for TCU to feel good about its chances to make the NCAA tournament in his first season, and for the first time since 1998, defeating T. Boone State at home was at the top of the to-do list.

Nonetheless, this was not the game TCU could afford to lose. It could have major implications as far as TCU receiving an invite to the National Intramural Tournament (NIT) bracket. Of course, the NIT should be cause for celebration, as well. TCU hasn’t been in the NIT since 2005.

TCU has five games remaining in the regular season, including games against top 10 teams West Virginia and Kansas.

Considering how the season has progressed, if the Frogs don’t make the NCAA tournament it is going to sting. They have come too far and put themselves in the NCAA discussion, which is this program’s biggest achievement in a decade. Any team that gets close and misses is hurting on Selection Sunday.

Wednesday’s game was fun, but illustrated how close to the edge TCU has been playing all season. The Frogs are good but have major holes.

TCU was not the better team on Wednesday but this is a game it should have won. After Kenrich Williams’ garbage layup with no time left on the shot clock, they led 66-63 with three minutes remaining.

Their only points the rest of the way came from a tip-in by reserve forward Chris Washburn with 1:39 remaining for another three-point lead that they again blew.

The goal for TCU has to be 20 wins and to finish no worse than one game under .500 in the Big 12. A win on Wednesday and those goals were nearly a foregone conclusion. Both are still attainable but tougher.

It’s all still there for TCU to earn, and hopefully for the sake of an improving program more people take notice and show up.

TCU basketball coach Jamie Dixon says his team was talking NCAA tournament before anyone else was talking about it.

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